Regimental Commemoration Service/PRA AGM 2023

Saturday, July 8, 2023

Alrewas

PRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – SATURDAY 8 JULY 2023

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Parachute Regimental Association will take place on Sat 8 July 2023 at 10:30.

The meeting is due to start at 1030hrs and all members are encouraged to attend. It will cover the annual financial audit of the accounts and provide updates on Regimental activity.

This meeting will be immediately prior to the Annual Regimental Commemoration Service at the Airborne Forces Memorial at the NMA. Association Members only are permitted to attend.

Regimental Commeoration Day

I look forward once again to all branches supporting the Regimental Commemoration Day at the NMA. Following the retirement from PRA activity by John Carey, this year there is a change to the organisation of the event and RHQ Para will organise and arrange PRA attendance for the daytime activities.

Regimental Commemoration Dinner

Please see separate event ‘Regimental Commemoration Dinner’ to be held on Saturday 8 July at the Royal Court Hotel.

For planning purposes, here is an outline of the timings for the day:

Timings           Event

0900                NMA Opens

0930               Tea/coffee available to PRA members attending the AGM

1030-1130      AGM in Aspects Events Facility

1130-1145      Comfort Break / All Standard bearers to report to Parade Marshall (TBC)

1145-1200      PRA Members, Band and Standards to form up ready to march to Memorial

1215-1300      Service at Memorial and wreath Laying

1315-1345      PRA form up for the march past, Col commandant/Asst Col Comdt to take salute

1345-1400       PRA photo on the steps of the main memorial

1400-1600      Lunch (Ticket Holders Only)

1600-1700      Departure of Guests and PRA Members

1700                NMA closes

1900                Regimental Commemoration Dinner (Ticket Holders Only)

Lunch Tickets

Tickets for lunch are subsidised by the PRA (price TBC) for those wishing to attend after the parade. These will be allocated on a first come, first served basis as there is not enough room for all those that attend the service.

Tickets can be collected at the PRA reception desk on arrival. When branch representatives are collecting tickets, they must hand in a nominal roll of all those attending, with branch member’s names and PRA membership numbers included. Individual attendees will be able to register their details on the blank forms that will be available on the day.

The cut-off date for tickets will be Monday 19 June 2023, so please book early to avoid disappointment only those who have purchased tickets will be able to attend the lunch after the parade. If you do not wish to purchase the buffet ticket you can either use the NMA Restaurant or bring your own packed lunch.

Tickets can be ordered from Julia Weymouth at RHQ Para by email: admin@prahq.com

All cheques are to be made payable to: Support Our Paras. Bank Transfer is available: Sort Code: 16-19-26, Account Number: 17851063

Dress

PRA member’s guests lounge suit or blazers beret and medals.

Standards

Standard Bearers report to: John Wilson and Tom Brown after the AGM at the rear of the Aspect Events Facility for a quick briefing.

Parking

Marshals will direct you to parking areas. None badge holders can also use the main car with now plenty of parking spaces, when full the overspill car park will be available to use. Coaches/Mini Buses can drop of at the designated points by the main entrance drivers will be directed to parking areas.

All cars will have to pay £4 to park all day, this can be done online a: https://www.maximcloud.co.uk/nationalmemorialarboretum/eventslist/

Disabled Personnel

A designated area will be available for wheelchairs and carers to view the service. Blue badge holders will be able to use disabled spaces in the main car park.

Band

There will be a band playing on the day. The identity of the Band is yet to be confirmed.

Regimental Mascot

The Regimental Mascot will be there on the day.